Margaret Cavendish, Duchess of Newcastle (1624?–1674)

SIR CHARLES into my chamber coming in,

When I was writing of my ‘Fairy Queen’;

‘I pray’—said he—‘when Queen Mab you do see

Present my service to her Majesty:

And tell her I have heard Fame’s loud report

Both of her beauty and her stately court.’

When I Queen Mab within my fancy viewed,

My thoughts bowed low, fearing I should be rude;

Kissing her garment thin which fancy made,

I knelt upon a thought, like one that prayed;

And then, in whispers soft, I did present

His humble service which in mirth was sent;

Thus by imagination I have been

In Fairy court and seen the Fairy Queen.